Nigerian president calls for national unity

LAGOS (Xinhua) – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to the unity and peace of the Nigerian nation.

The Nigerian leader made this known in his Eid al-Adha celebration message to the nation.

He said national interest would override any personal ambition or sectional agenda in his decision to seek re-election in 2015 or not. He felicitated with the Muslims and urged them to use the occasion to pray for the peace, progress and unity of the country as well as the success of the 2015 general elections.

The president urged the political class to rise above unedifying, unpatriotic and selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda in the coming national elections. According to him, the call has become necessary following the issuance of a formal notice of the impending general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the week.

He said that with the official election notice, another national campaign season was now truly upon the country.

President Jonathan urged all political actors to commit themselves to the sustenance of democracy and political stability in the country.

These, he added, were essential ingredients for the advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development of the nation.

He admitted that the country had continued to face critical challenges in some areas in spite of the significant progress it had made in the past four years.

The president congratulated all Muslims in the country and believers who undertook this year’s Haj as enjoined by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).

The Nigerian government had declared Oct 6, and Oct 7 as public holidays to mark the Eid al-Adha.